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Dogs as large as the enormous Kodiak bears roamed this earth during the Paleocene Period,millions of years ago, according to historians. Skeletons of more than 60 distinct species have been taken from the Crazy Mountain region in Montana and 14 of these were positively identified by Dr. Gaylord Simpson of the American Museum of Natural History.

These ancient animals were termed "bear dogs" by Dr. Simpson, and their official name is Arctocyoidae. They had awesome teeth, powerful bones, but small brain cavities.

In later periods, dogs decreased in size until today none of the wild dogs weighs as much, or is as large, as the giants of the domesticated group, which includes the St. Bernard, Great Dane, Newfoundland and the huge Mastiff of Tibet. The bulkiest of these does not scale better than 200 pounds, while the smallest of the toy breeds weighs about one pound.

Domesticated dogs are descended from the wild dog, naturally mated with wolves, jackals and coyotes, after which these offspring were scientifically bred to produce the many varieties of today. The American Kennel Club, governing organization in the United States, recognizes 122 distinct breeds of dogs, all belonging to one or another of the six major classifications: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy and Non-Sporting.

Many of today's breeds were unknown 100 or 150 years ago. Other breeds have come down through the centuries, unchanged in size, without any cross-breeding, and argument long has existed as to which of such species is the oldest.

The "Complete Dog Book," issued by the American Kennel Club and dealing with the origin of over 100 breeds, does not settle the dispute. Rather, the contributed articles merely tend to complicate the situation.